Check operated switches



s- 9 H. J. ALBRIGHT ET AL 3,460,661

' CHECK OPERATED swmcnfis Filed Feb. 8. 1967 INVENTOR5 ALBRKiHT HENRY d BYROYAL F. S 'T'H United States Patent 3,460,661 CHECK OPERATED SWITCHES Henry J. Albright, Oswego, and Royal F. Smith, Aurora,

111., assignors to Lektro-Vend Corp., Aurora, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 8, 1967, Ser. No. 614,644 Int. Cl. G07f 5/10; G07b 5/14 US. Cl. 194-8 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrical pulse generator for emitting a number of pulses related to the value of the coin inserted, e.g., nickel, one pulse; dime, two pulses; and quarter, five pulses. The gravity fed coins act directly on sensitive switches commonly known as micro-switches and means is provided for slowing the descent of the quarter so that it can act five times on a single micro-switch.

This invention relates to electrical pulse generators and more particularly to an improved electrical pulse generator of the type employed in coin operated machines for programming, such machines to deliver merchandise and/ or change.

A typical application of coin activated pulse generators is in modern vending machines capable of vending any of a number of various priced articles and automatically returning the customers change. A vending machine of that type is disclosed in co-pending application, Ser. No. 546,137 filed Mar. 21, 1966, now US. Patent No. 3,369,641 and entitled Coin Handling and Changing Device. In such machines, the complex functions alluded to are controlled by some form of electrical stepping circuit arrangement, and the latter is in turn controlled by the electrical impulses of a pulse generator. The pulse generator is of course adapted to be activated by coins inserted thereinto. Since the unit coin is most frequently the nickel, coin activated pulse generators invariably are designed to emit one electrical pulse when activated by a nickel, two by a dime, five by a quarter, etc.

Skilled workers in the art are well acquainted with the complexities attendant the furnishing of an efiicient pulse generator which nonetheless satisfied the cost and space limitations of commercial vending machines. Thus, a common form of prior pulse generator comprised a compact but intricate and rather delicate device which operated on a kind of clock escapement-like principle. Each coin was dropped into its designated chute where it was intended to pivot or rotate a lever or wheel having a number of detents or notches corresponding to the unit value of the coin. Through a pallet-like member, the lever or Wheel thereupon actuated the arm of a sensitive micro-switch the appropriate number of times.

Although prior pulse generators of the type described were moderately effective, they were nonetheless characterized by certain disadvantageous features. The most serious problems resulted from the fact that the gravity fed coins were required to motivate a lever or wheel of comparatively high mass. The heavier coins, e.g., nickels and quarters, were generally able to perform the required work. However, in the case of a lighter coin, such as a dime, the resistance forces of the wheel intended to be moved thereby often proved too great. As a result, dimes frequently would get hung up in their chute and render the pulse generators partially or totally inoperative. The same situation also arose, albeit less frequently, in the 3,460,661 Patented Aug. 12, 1969 nickel and quarter chutes. Additional problems of the prior generators were their relatively complex structure and operation and the difficulty of assembling them.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a coin activated pulse generator which overcomes all of the problems described hereinabove.

Another object is to alford a pulse generator of the character described in which all intricate and relatively heavy parts such as wheels and the like are eliminated. A related object is to afford such a pulse gneerator in which the coins act directly on sensitive and low-resistance micro-switches so that the work requried of the coins is thereby reduced to a minimum.

A further object is to provide a pulse generator of the character described in which actuation of the electric switch or switches by any coin, including the dime, is insured.

Still another object is to afford a pulse generator of the character described which has a reduced number of parts and is greatly simplified in construction, assembly and operation.

Yet another object is to provide a pulse generator of the character described which is compact and yet is most durable and efficient for the purposes intended.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists briefly of a relatively compact device having the customary adjacent and parallel coin chutes, namely, three chutes adapted respectively for handling nickels, dimes and quarters. Three ordinary sensitive switches commonly known as micro-switches are. employed. One of the micro-switches has a light spring arm which projects into both the nickel and dime chutes and is adapted to be actuated by a coin falling through either of said chutes. A second micro-switch has a similar arm which projects only into the dime chute. Thus, .a nickel actuates only the first switch, while a dime actuates the first and second switches. The third micro-switch has an arm with five spaced fingers which project into the quarter chute and are adapted to be acted on by a quarter falling therethrough. Caroming or speed attenuating means is provided in the quarter chute for slowing the descent of a quarter so that the five fingers will be successively actuated at a speed within the operational limits of the micro-switch.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of our invention, we have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from the inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, our invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a coin activated pulse generator embodying the principles of the invention with portions broken away;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view with the protective plate removed; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of line 4-4 in FIG. 1 and illustrating the path of a quarter as it passes through the quarter chute.

Referring more particularly to the various figures of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a coin activated pulse generator embodying the principles of the invention. The pulse generator 10 comprises a pair of side plates 12 and 14, said plate 14 including mounting flanges such as 15, 16 and 17. Positioned between the side plates 12 and 14 are chute-forming plates 18, 19, 20 and 22 which are arranged to provide a nickel chute 24, a dime chute 26 and a quarter chute 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

As seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the nickel chute 24 is further defined by spacer plates 30 and 32 having opposed channeling surfaces 34 and 36. Similarly, the dime chute 26 is further defined by spacer plates 38 and 46 having opposed channeling surfaces 42 and 44.

A pair of arcuate slots 46 and 48 are formed in the generator 1% and extend completely therethrough to communicate with the side plates 12 and 14. Mounted on the side plate 14 are first and second sensitive or microswitches 54) and 52 respectively which have wire switchactuating arms 54 and 56 connected thereto. The arms 54 and 56 have offset end portions or fingers 58 and 60 which project through the slots 46 and 48 and are normally biased toward the upper ends of said slots (see FIG. 3). When a nickel is inserted into the nickel chute 24 the coin falls against and moves the finger 60 downwardly to actuate the first micr-switch 50. However, a dime passing through the dime chute 26 will fall against and move both fingers 58 and 60 to actuate the second switch 52 and first switch 50 in succession. Thus, a nickel causes one electrical pulse to be emitted by the generator while a dime causes two. It is important to note that the nickels and dimes act directly upon the extremely lightweight and sensitive switch arms 54 and 56 so that positive actuation of the switches 50 and 52 is assured in every case.

Turning now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the quarter chute 28 is defined by plurality of carom members 62A and 62B arranged in vertically spaced and alternating opposed relationship. The carom members 62A and 62B comprise shouldered posts which are rotatably mounted between the side plate 14 and chuteforming plate 22 The horizontal spacing between the vertical rows of posts 62A and 62B is slightly less than the diameter of a quarter for reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds. Completing the quarter chute 28 is a vertical row of spacer bars 64 positioned one between each adjacent pair of posts 62A and in substantial alignment with the outermost extremity of said posts.

A third micro-switch 66 is mounted on the flange 15 and has associated therewith an elongated actuation arm 68 whose opposite end rests rotatably in a bearing '70 positioned on the flange 17. Five wire fingers 72 are rigidly connected to the switch arm 68 by soldering or other suitable means. As indicated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the fingers 72 are spaced vertically equidistantly along the arm 68 and extend transversely therefrom. A series of five aligned notches 74 are formed in the side plate 14 and chute-forming plates 20 and 22, and said notches are adapted to receive the fingers 72 therein as illustrated. The arm 68 of the switch 66 is spring biased to rotate in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2 so that the fingers 72 are normally urged against the inner marginal edge of the notches 74.

Operation of the pulse generator in response to the insertion of a quarter may now be best appreciated by referring particularly to FIG. 4 of the drawings. When a quarter Q enters the chute 28, it cannot fall in a straight line between the rows of posts 62A and 628 because of the previously described spacing between said posts. Inasmuch as the horizontal spacing between the row of posts 62A and the inner marginal edges of the notches 74 is also less than the diameter of the quarter, the coin likewise cannot pass between said posts and said fingers without moving the latter. As a result of the described arrangement, the quarter is caused to strike first a post 62B from whence it caroms olf to strike the first post 62A. The said post 62A caroms the quarter down toward the next post 6213. However, since the coin cannot pass between the said post 62A and its related finger 72, the finger is forced outwardly against its bias to actuate the switch 66. The same action is of course repeated five times until the coin falls out the bottom of the chute 28, thereby causing the generator to emit five electrical impulses.

It will be observed that the caroming action of the quarter resulting from contact with the posts 62A and 62B serves to slow down the speed of the quarters descent. This attenuation of speed permits the single switch 65 to be actuated five times whereas unimpeded fall of the quarter through the chute 28 would strike the fingers 72 at a speed beyond the operating capabilities of the switch.

Detachably connected to the side plate 14 is a bent protective plate 76 which shields the delicate switch arms 58 and 60 and also cooperates with the mounting flange 16 to shield the switch arm 68 and fingers 72. A coin escrow assembly E of the type disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending application is also mounted on the generator 10, but this assembly forms no part of the present invention. When the pulse generator 10 is operationally positioned in a vending machine, the switches 50, 52 and 66 are of course connected electrically to the other portions of the machine, which other portions may be of the type shown in said co-pending application. Similarly, those versed in the art will understand that in an actual vending machine, all inserted coins normally will be required to pass through some form of slug rejectormechanism before entering the pulse generator 10. However, detailed description of the last mentioned vending machine portions and mechanisms is unnecessary for an understanding of the instant invention.

It is believed that our invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nonetheless capable of wide variation within the purview of our invention as defined in the appended claim.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electrical pulse generator comprising:

a first chute for accommodating the gravity-fed passage of a first coin of a first denomination therethrough,

a second chute, for accommodating the gravityfed passage of a second coin of a second denomination therethrough,

a first electric switch having an actuating ar-m extending into said first chute,

a second electric switch having an actuating arm extending into said first and second chutes,

a third chute for accommodating the gravity-fed passage of a third coin of a third denomination therethrough,

a third electric switch having an actuating arm connected thereto,

a plurality of spaced fingers projecting from said third switch actuating arm and extending into said third chute,

carom means is positioned in said third chute and is effective to slow the speed of passage of said third coin through said third chute,

said carom means comprises a plurality of cylindrical posts mounted in said third chute with their longitudinal axes normal to the longitudinal axis of said third chute,

the posts of one of said rows are arranged in staggered relation with the posts of said other row,

said first, second and third coins comprise respectively a nickel, a dime and a quarter,

and there are five of said fingers rigidly secured to said third switch actuating arm and projecting perpendicularly therefrom,

said third chute comprises a pair of parallel plates, said posts being rotatably mounted between said plates, said plates being formed with five aligned notches opening to corresponding outer edges thereof, and each of said notches receiving one of said fingers there- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,046,096 12/1912 MeClatchie 194--,02

Christopher 194-103 Mills 194103 DuGrenier et al 194.02

lRoekola 1941 Lovell 194--9 Melvin et a1 194--10 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner 

